Sunday May 11th. 2008

The report on the roof is quite alarming:

“It is apparent that the existing "copper clad" roof covering at St. Joseph's Church is increasingly falling into a dilapidated state and it has reached what may be considered to be the end of its useful life. We reckon that the predominant reason for the failure of the roof covering is as follows:

The existing roof covering has virtually no provision to allow moisture vapour to escape from the structure  cladding. This has meant that water vapour has become trapped within the structure. Over time this vapour has condensed onto the chipboard backing of the copper cladding, causing the chipboard to loose its structural integrity, and causing the buckling of the roof covering, as can be seen in places externally. We also opened up a section of the roof for investigation purposes. The structural timbers were found to be in good condition but the mineral wool insulation was found to be in poor condition. Moisture vapour has also been condensing onto the mineral wool insulation causing it to become damp and ineffective. This in turn causes more condensation within the roof structure.

These factors combine to cause a downhill spiral effect on the integrity of the roof cladding”

The cost of the replacement roof is £46.900 plus V.A.T. which brings the total cost to £55,000.

Unfortunately, St. Joseph’s is not a listed building and we are unable to reclaim the V.A.T. The work will start as soon as possible and should take about three weeks to complete.

We are grateful for the money raised by the Race Nite and for other generous gifts towards the expense.

However, thanks to the immense generosity of the late Sandy and Margaret MacDonald, Rowanlea, and the late Cathie Rennie, Bohuntine, who gifted their land to St. Margaret’s, this has realised a considerable amount of money which is banked with the diocese to be used for extraordinary expenses, and so we can comfortably meet the cost of the roof replacement.

May God bless them in heaven for their goodness towards this parish. Mass is said for them frequently for the repose of their souls.

Congratulations to Bruno and Ali Berardelli on the christening of their daughter Lila Maria in St. Margaret’s last Saturday, May 3rd. The godparents were Eduardo and Charlotte Artero, who came over specially from Spain for the christening.  With them is their 6 months old son Hector. Charlotte is Ali’s sister, and she and her husband live in the hill country outside Barcelona. It was a great gathering of all the family relations on both sides for such a happy occasion. We wish Lila Maria every blessing, and may she continue throughout her life  to radiate such joy and happiness to everyone as she did on the day of her christening.

A family gathering for the Christening of Lila Maria Berardelli.